Post-election violence persists in Nigeria

At least two suspected bomb-makers were killed in a blast in Kaduna in northern Nigeria on Saturday, a city at the centre of post-election violence in which hundreds of people are thought to have died this week.

Angry youths launched violent protests in northern cities after President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from the south, was declared the winner of elections last Saturday, defeating ex-army ruler and northern Muslim Muhammadu Buhari. Churches, mosques and homes were set ablaze in the worst unrest for years as Buhari supporters rejected the outcome.

“In Nigeria when there is a social problem – it could be even economic, or political – it suddenly keels towards religion,” says Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos in Plateau state. “In this case the first places of target were the churches.”

There are fears of further violence ahead of governorship and state assembly votes in Nigeria's 36 states next week. Archbishop Kaigama said that the government has assured adequate security, and he continues to pray for a peaceful vote.

“The security agents should be alert…to prevent this from happening, rather than wait each time there is a crisis. They rush in, in a fire brigade manner, unfortunately when the damage is already done,” he told Vatican Radio.

Meanwhile the Christian community prepares for Easter Sunday amid growing fears of attacks by extremists. Ahead of the Chrism Mass, there were rumours of churches being targeted and the faithful brought their concerns to Archbishop Kaigama. He encouraged them to be confident.

“I told my people, let us go ahead and do our mass. Because when we become so afraid we become slaves of fear.”

Listen to Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama’s full interview with Kelsea Brennan-Wessels: